What is an ante bet in casino poker?
An ante bet is the mandatory opening wager required to start a hand in most casino poker games. It’s placed before you see any cards and gives you the right to receive a hand and compete for the pot.
How antes work in table games
In games like Three Card Poker, Casino Hold’em, and Caribbean Stud, the Ante is placed to enter the round. After seeing your cards you decide whether to fold (losing the Ante) or continue by placing an additional Raise or Play bet. The Ante is the starting cost of participation; the Raise is the commitment to compete after seeing your hand.
Ante bonuses
Many casino poker games include an Ante Bonus — an extra payout on the Ante for strong hands regardless of whether you beat the dealer. In Three Card Poker, a straight flush on the Ante pays 5:1, three of a kind pays 4:1, and a straight pays 1:1. These bonuses apply even if the dealer’s hand beats yours, which is why strong hands are worth playing regardless of what the dealer’s upcard shows.